Seven ways to reduce infections among people who inject drugs

Seven interventions, one aim: no infections among people who inject drugs. In a new guidance document, EU agencies ECDC and the EMCDDA have joined forces to identify seven interventions to reduce and prevent infectious diseases in this vulnerable population. Many European countries have achieved substantial progress in recent years in preventing drug-related infections. Drug injecting, however, remains a major cause of infectious diseases across Europe. The interventions proposed range from the supply of injection equipment, testing and vaccination to the treatment of infections and drug dependence. These are best applied in combination and ideally in the same venue for maximum effect.

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Drug Policy in Portugal: The Benefits of Decriminalizing Drug Use

Ten years ago, Portugal launched an experiment that few countries had dared to try: the decriminalization of drug possession and use, including for drugs labelled by some countries as “hard,” such as cocaine and heroin.

These changes to Portugal’s drug law and national policy have marked a turning point for the country and a milestone in international drug policy. Instead of seeking to diminish use by punishing users, the new measures consider drugs illegal but no longer treat drug consumption as a criminal offense. The changes are also particularly significant for Portugal, a conservative country marked by a history of fascistic governments and a Catholic Church that has a powerful influence on politics and social life.

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A systematic review of hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Europe, Canada and Israel

Decisions on public health issues are dependent on reliable epidemiological data. A comprehensive review of the literature was used to gather country-speci?c data on risk factors, prevalence, number of diagnosed individuals and genotype distribution of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in selected European countries, Canada and Israel.

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Prevalence and correlates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C infection and harm reduction program use among male injecting drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional assessment

A nascent HIV epidemic and high prevalence of risky drug practices were  detected among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2005-2006.  We  assessed prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen  (HBsAg), syphilis, and needle and syringe program (NSP) use among this population.

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Australian NSP Survey Prevalence of HIV, HCV and injecting and sexual behaviour among Needle and Syringe Program attendees national data report 1995 - 2010

The Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey (ANSPS) provides serial point prevalence estimates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) antibodies and monitors sexual and injecting behaviour among people who inject drugs in Australia. Conducted annually since 1995, NSP services from all states and territories participate in the ANSPS. This report presents results for all survey years over the period 1995 to 2010.

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Tackling hepatitis C: a tale of two countries

Prevention of Hepatitis C Virus in Injecting Drug Users: A Narrow Window of Opportunity

Human immunode?ciency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections remain major public health problems among injecting drug users (IDUs). In 2007, it was estimated that there were 15.9 million IDUs worldwide, with 3 million living with HIV . While similar data are not available for HCV, given an HCV prevalence of 65% , it is estimated that 10 million active IDUs have been exposed to HCV and 8 million have chronic infection. The global burden of HCV is even greater in former IDUs

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The San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force calls for supervised injecting site

The San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force has called for a supervised safe injection facility for drug users in its final report.

The report, which came out in late January, also urged the city to do more to prevent and manage the life-threatening liver disease, including expanded testing and treatment.

Former Mayor Gavin Newsom established the task force in September 2009. The 30-member group includes public health officials, medical professionals, social service providers, treatment activists, and people living with hepatitis C.

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Changes in Blood-borne Infection Risk Among Injection Drug Users

Nearly 30 years into the HIV epidemic, injection drug users (IDUs) remain at high risk for HIV infection. Data from surveillance systems and cohort studies have collectively suggested that HIV infection incidence among IDUs has declined a trend attributed at least in part to harm-reduction measures including needle exchange programs (NEPs) and substance-abuse treatment. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is nearly 10 times more transmissible by needlestick than is HIV .

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Factors to Improve the Management of Hepatitis C in Drug Users: An Observational Study in an Addiction Centre

Barriers to management of HCV in injection drug users are related to patients, health providers, and facilities. In a primary care drug user’s addiction centre we studied access to HCV standard of care before and after using an onsite total care concept provided by a multidisciplinary team and noninvasive liver fibrosis evaluation. A total of 586 patients were seen between 2002 and 2004.

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